- $105 million to kickstart major upgrade of Subiaco Water Resource Recovery Facility
- Supports 60,000 future homes for thousands of Western Australians
- Increased capacity to enable major infill and redevelopment projects and support jobs
Planning is underway on a major upgrade of Perth's oldest wastewater treatment plant, supporting work by the Cook Labor Government to create 60,000 future homes across the city's inner and western suburbs and several hundred new jobs.
An initial $105 million will fund detailed project design and engineering work, as well as helping to prepare the site for future construction at the Subiaco Water Resource Recovery Facility in Shenton Park.
Operating since 1927, the Water Corporation facility treats about 65 million litres of wastewater each day from 120,000 homes and businesses from Scarborough to North Fremantle and east to Maylands.
Under the plan, its capacity would increase by around 23 million litres per day through the construction of a compact, ultra-modern plant at the Lemnos Street site.
The upgrade would support new homes for more than 135,000 people over the next 25 years, including planned redevelopment at Subi East, Belmont Park Racecourse and Fremantle Port.
It would also improve treatment quality, increase opportunities to recycle water and support further infill development.
As part of engineering work, Water Corporation will investigate the potential for advanced odour control systems to improve amenity in the area around the facility.
The project forms part of the Cook Labor Government's broader investment in the water, wastewater and drainage infrastructure needed to unlock housing across Western Australia.
More than half a billion dollars is being invested in water infrastructure and services to enable more housing development and support residential land development.
As stated by Water Minister Daniel Pastorelli:
"Wastewater infrastructure may not be something people often think about, but it is essential to public health, protecting our environment and building the homes our growing city needs.
"This $105 million investment is the next step in creating more opportunities to recycle water and reduce demand on our drinking water supplies while supporting 60,000 future homes.
"The Cook Labor Government is investing record amounts in essential water infrastructure across Western Australia - because housing growth cannot happen without reliable water and wastewater services."
As stated by Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Labor Government is delivering more homes and enabling greater density in existing suburbs to expand housing supply and choice.
"This upgrade will support 60,000 future homes across some of Perth's most important infill and redevelopment areas, including our new station precincts.
"It's part of a record $10.8 billion housing investment since 2021, and a strong focus on accelerating housing and land supply."
